30 GERMINATION 



Let us, however, examine some seeds in detail both before 

 and after they arrive at maturity, selecting for the purpose 

 such as are fairly large, and commencing with the horse- 

 chestnut, or " Conker " of our boyhood. 



Before we consider it in its character of a finished article 

 it will be as well to see it in its pod, in process of manufac- 

 ture. In the above drawing a patch of lighter colour 

 will be seen and in the centre of this a circular dot. Both 

 are there for a very definite purpose, but we can return to 

 them later. 



The fundamental principle governing the germination 

 of a seed is this : the seed substance must receive a con- 

 tinuous charge of electricity ; this charge must be induced 

 or the seed would rot, and no such charge can be imparted 

 until the seed becomes in effect a Leyden-jar. Water, air 

 and warmth are of course necessary, but these also are in 

 electrical connection ; water to give conductivity and 

 aid in the formation of protoplasm, air to complete the 

 circuit and warmth to facilitate conduction. 



The next drawing is of an immature seed in its pod. 



6. 



g- 



a 





o is what is left of the stalk — the battery wire conveying 

 negative current from the earth ; h is white pith with an 

 acid secretion, positively charged by the air ; c is a moist 

 and markedly acid layer surrounding the seed substance d ; 



